Private tour with an accredited expert guide Hampton Court Palace
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
This is the ultimate tour of history where it happened, you will walk in the footsteps of kings and queens.
Your guide, Sarah, is a social historian, storyteller and expert on the 16th century Tudor period. She is a qualified Blue Badge Tourist Guide and has worked at Hampton Court Palace as a member of staff since 2008, she has been interviewed on the BBC and acknowledged by authors, so is ideally placed to impart the secrets of those who have lived, worked and died within the palace walls.
Hampton Court is a 'palace of two halves'; the 16th century Tudor and Wren's 17th century Baroque. You will see magnificent artworks in the State Apartments, the Astronomical clock, kitchens, wine cellars, gardens and maybe even a ghost!
Note the Chapel may be closed on Sundays.
Entrance fees to Hampton Court Palace are NOT included in the price of this tour booking, entrance tickets to the palace cost approximately £32 per person and should be purchased through the Historic Royal Palace's website.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What To Expect
Hampton Court Palace
As we enter through the Tudor Gatehouse it may feel as though we have stepped back in time to the 16th Century. Together we will explore the courtyards and Tudor Kitchens, we will sense the smells and sounds of a busy working environment where sumptuous meals were prepared by the many servants for the Court of King Henry VIII. We will ascend to the upper floors to view the magnificent Tudor State Apartments which includes some of the finest artwork and tapestries from the period such as the Abraham Tapestries and the painting of the Family of Henry VIII. Walk through the Great Hall and along the Haunted Gallery where I shall tell the ghost story of Catherine Howard, King Henry VIII's doomed fifth wife. Then we will move into the Baroque side of the palace built in 1689 by Queen Mary II & King William III to rival Versailes near Paris. We will see the magnificent gardens which include the world famous hedge Maze, the Great Vine, the Royal Tennis Court and the King's Privy Garden.
Options
Private Guided Walking Tour in Hampton Court Palace
What‘s Included
Sarah has worked as a Guide Lecturer at Hampton Court Palace since 2008
Sarah has been acknowledged by authors and interviewed for her expertise knowledge of Hampton Court
Personal tour with Sarah who is accredited with the Institute of Tourist Guiding, White Badge Guide
Please note the Chapel Royal is a working chapel and may close at short notice for services.
Hampton Court Palace
Admission fees into Hampton Court Palace are not included
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
102 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
The best guide at Hampton Court
rowlandm275,May 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Sarah is _the_ expert for guiding all Royal Palaces, and particularly Hampton Court. She is the guide other guides go to for advice, fact checking, and amazing stories. If you are going to Hampton Court, Sarah is the guide you want - if you can get her.
Sarah makes the tour feel like living in a history book. Highly recommend! Don’t go to HCP without her
CalBear 02,Nov 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Look no further than Sarah for your perfect private Hampton Court Palace guide. My 16 year old daughter heard her on the Talking Tours podcast and begged to take a tour with her. She met us (45 minutes early!) at a cafe near HCP. She was warm and it was apparent that she’s passionate about history. She was so good about checking in every so often to see what history we knew and what we needed a refresher on. Her way with history telling was just perfect. She moved along with all the fabulous information but it felt like we were hearing her tell stories. And she illustrated the stories with the palace. We have taken many private tours throughout the years and I can’t think of a better guide. Her way of explaining history is simple yet she goes so in depth. My daughter was completely engaged the entire 3 hours and so was I. I didn’t think we needed a private tour of HCP but now I can’t imagine going there without her. After the tour we went across the road the eat (just me and my daughter) and a stranger came up to me and said she had overheard a little of Sarah during our tour and was blown away. She said we were so lucky. I can’t agree more! Worth every penny
Guided tour of Hampton Court Palace
jhD9155FG,Aug 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour is amazing and Sarah’s knowledge is incredible. She really brought the place alive for us with her historical knowledge and antidotes. It’s a very large palace and having someone guide us made it very manageable and enjoyable.
Our private tour guide...
Maxine C,Aug 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our private tour guide Sarah was excellent - friendly and very knowledgeable on Tudor history - made it all really come to life. Hampton Court and gardens great day out.
Amazing Tour of Hampton Court!
jessb259,Aug 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely brilliant tour, Sarah brings Hampton Court to life, pointing out so many hidden secrets and details and her knowledge is super impressive! Such good value. Highly recommend!
Phenomenal experience with Sarah Slater!!!
Scott B,Jul 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Sarah Slater just delivered the most EXCEPTIONAL tour we ever could have imagined!!! We were blown away by her knowledge, expertise, and kindness to wait for us for this once in a lifetime experience even though we were delayed by train in our arrival. She took her time to dive deep through Tudor through Georgian history with us and was kind enough to take some wonderful pictures! We couldn’t recommend her enough, she truly made this an experience we will remember for a lifetime!!!
Recommend Sarah for your HCP Tour
unionjackson74,Jun 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Sarah was an excellent tour guide for Hampton Court Palace. She ‘met me where I was’ in my knowledge of the palace and the history of the monarchy. She also spent time on the things I was interested in (the history, the architecture) and avoided the things I was less interested in (the art). She is very easygoing and accommodating. Would highly recommend Sarah for anyone wanting a more tailored visit.
Fantastic morning out at Hampton Court Palace
Getaway53688671594,May 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Sarah was a fantastic guide who displayed so much enthusiasm and knowledge about the Palace and its history, combining both historical detail alongside some great story telling.
Private tour of the Palace and Gardens
O1846DCmatthewg,Apr 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Sarah was a perfect guide. Hugely knowledgeable about the Palace, with a very engaging style. Thoroughly recommended
Hampton Court
Therese V,Jan 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We loved being shown through Hampton Court by Sarah. Her knowledge was incredible & we learnt so much about the history of Hampton Court. I would definitely recommend her tour.
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Operated by Sarah Slater Blue Badge Tourist Guide @ The History Guides